Multiple solutes additive apparatus

ABSTRACT

Apparatus for adding solute to a liquid such as swimming pool water in which a first mixing tank is supported on a second mixing tank. The first mixing tank is adapted to receive circulating water and metered amounts of either liquid or solid additives such as chlorine. The first tank has adjustable overflow means connecting to the second mixing tank from which second tank a float-controlled valve releases the water and solute mixture to the suction side of a venturi or a pump. The first mixing tank has means for receiving solid additives in either cake or granular form and also adapts to liquid additive containers with a drip control outlet.

United States Patent [191 Lorenzen 541 MULTIPLE SOLUTES ADDITIVEAPPARATUS [58] Field of Search...137/268, 575, 576, 577.5, 411, 137/425;23/267 E, 267 F, 272.7, 272.8, 267.4, 272, 311, 312

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,418,845 6/1922 S'tetson137/425 1,459,486 6/1923 Whitney et al. ..137/424 X 2,204,998 6/1940Ryan et al 137/411 X 3,472,425 10/1969 Booth et a1. ..137/411 X2,760,820 3/1956 Cirese ..l37/268 X 3,094,134 6/1963 Currie ..l37/268 X:11 3,710,817 1 1 Jan. 16, 1973 Primary Examiner-Henry T. KlinksiekAssistant Examiner-Robert- J. Miller Attorney-Wm. Jacquet Gribble [57]ABSTRACT Apparatus for adding solute to a liquid such as swimming poolwater in which a first mixing tank is supported on a second mixing tank.The first mixing tank is adapted to receive circulating water andmetered amounts of either liquid or solid additives such as chlorine.The first tank has adjustable overflow means connecting to the secondmixing tank from which second tank a float-controlled valve releases thewater and solute mixture to,the suction side of a venturi or a pump. Thefirst mixing tank has means for receiving solid additives in either cakeor granular form and also adapts to liquid additive containers with adrip control outlet.

10 Claims, 7 Drawing Figures 35 T 46? VENTUR/ BYPASS P 0 0L A8 {if F lLT E R 1 NVENTOR.

A T TOR/V5 V PATENTEUJAN 16 I975 SHEET 2 BF 3 V 6x1 NR INVENTOR. WALTERC. LORENZEN ATTORNEY PATENTEDJAH 1 6 ms SHEET 3 OF 3 /79 WF/G. 7.

I N VEN TOR.

ATTORNEY MULTIPLE SOLUTES ADDITIVE APPARATUS RELATED APPLICATIONS Thisapplication is related to my copending patent applications Ser. No.768,729 filed Oct. 19, 1968, now US. Pat. No. 3,595,395 and entitledAutomatic Chlorinators for Swimming Pools and Ser. No. 809,605 filedMar. 24, I969 and entitled Soluble Granule Feeder, abandoned in favor ofcontinuationin-part application Ser. No. 73,564 filed Sept. 18, 1970,now Patent No. 3,626,972 and entitled Soluble Granule Feeders.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The invention relates to apparatusintroducing additives into a liquid stream, and more particularly toapparatus in which various types of either solid or liquid additives maybe introduced into the liquid stream, such as the recirculating water ofa swimming pool, through the same mixing tanks. Conventionalchlorinating equipment is incapable of adapting to the various types ofadditive chlorine presently in use. Several costly devices have beenmarketed, but their capacity for accepting the additive is limited toone of the solid granules of chlorine, the solid chlorine briquets orchlorine in liquid form. An additional problem is the damage from thestrong chlorine concentration resulting from the direct addition oflargely undiluted chlorine to the stream flowing through the pump andfilter, like consequent chemical deterioration of those circulationcomponents.

A further problem is the clogging of circulation equipment from theresidue from the corrosive effect encountered with high chlorineconcentrations.

Some devices have not been independent of pressure variables andtherefore the amount of additive introduced into the system has not beenconsistent with usage. I

It has also been difficult to achieve additional chlorine at properintervals, due to the varying conditions which decay or deteriorate theactive chlorine within the body of pool water. Such variables asevaporation, exposure to sunlight and pump capacity have made itdifficult, with present equipment, to properly regulate the chlorineconcentration maintained in the circulating pool water.

Similar systems other than swimming pool systems have suffered from thelack of equipment sensitive to the varying demands of the system.

It is, therefore, among the objectives of this invention to provideapparatus for introducing a soluble additive into a liquid system whichis compatible with present circulating apparatus and which is flexibleenough to opening and closing the connection to the suction means. Theadditive may comprise soluble cakes, soluble granules or a liquidconcentrate. If cakes, they may be stacked within the first mixing tankwith means for controlling the liquid level therein such that the propernumber of cakes is exposed to the dissolving action of the liquid withinthe first mixing tank. The means for meet the changing demands ofadditive physical form and varying volume demands of circulatingsystems.

SUMMARY OFTHEINVENTION v I distributing granules to the first tank maycomprise a plurality of metering cups with central bottom apertures andfloat-actuated valve means adapted to open and close cup aperturesserially in accordance with the liquid level in the first tank.

The first tank may also receive a vessel of liquid additive which has aself-contained valving means intermittently depositing additive into thefirst tank at a rate previously determined to be consonant with theliquid flow in the circulating system.

The metering cups may be stackable within or above the first tank andone or more of the cups may be detached to vary the number of meteredincrements available to the first mixing tank during one cycle of thesystem.

These and other advantages of the invention are apparent from thefollowing detailed description and drawing, in which like parts in theseveral Figures have like reference numerals.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIG. 1 is a schematic elevation, partlyin section, showing one embodiment of the invention in use withventuri-induced suction;

FIG. 2 is a schematic elevation, mostly in section, of an embodiment ofthe invention with pump-induced suction;

FIG. 3 is a plan section taken along line 3-3 of FIG.

FIG. 4 is an end elevation, partly in section, of an alternateembodiment of the invention;

FIG. 5 is an end elevation, partly in section, of a further alternateembodiment;

FIG. 6 is a schematic side elevation, partly insection, of an alternateembodiment of the invention; and

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary sectional elevation of an alternate embodimentof the invention taken along a line similar to the line 7-7 of FIG. 4.

The solute additive apparatus of FIG. 1 comprises a cylindrical firstmixing tank 11 and a rectangular second mixing tank 12, each of which isconnected to the water circulating system of a pool 13. A bypass line 15conducts a portion of the recirculating pool water through a check valve17 to an elbow 18 entering into the bottom 19 of first tank 11 andthrough the upper wall of the second tank. Tank 11 has a removable cap21 which retains a stack of water soluble solid chlorine briquets orcakes 23 within the tank upon bottom 19. A vertically adjustableoverflow tube 25 is located in the first tank between the stack 23 andan inner tank wall 26. The tube passes downwardly through a sealinggland like the gland 28 of FIG. 6 into the interior of tank 12 in adownward extension 25A.

Intermediate its ends the adjustable tube has a window opening 29, thebottom of which determines the liquid height within the first mixingtank. Liquid entering the tank through elbow 18 exits through window 29and tube 25 into the interior of the second mixing tank 12. An exitconduit 31 in an end 32 of the second tank near its bottom has aswinging valve 33 pivotally mounted in a bracket 34 such that aresilient valve face 35 of the valve may swing against the inner end ofconduit 31 to close the conduit. The valve is float-c ontrolled, havinga float member 38 atop a counterbalancing weight 39 fixed at an end of alever arm 41 remote from a bracket pivot pin 42 of the valve assembly.In FIG. 1 the valve is shown open due to the flotation effect of liquidwithin the second mixing tank rising to the level of line 44. Liquidflowing through line and adjustable tube 25 into the second tank exitsthrough open conduit 31 to a venturi 45 in a return line 46 to pool 13.

The main body of recirculating water passes through the venturi to thepool, induced by a pump 48 which feeds the recirculating water through afilter 49 and an elbow 51 from which the return line 46 extends to theventuri. Bypass line 15 extends upwardly from Tee 51 to check valve 17and the first mixing tank.

Normally the pump is controlled by a time clock (not shown) which is setto cycle the pump in accordance with the demands of the liquid system.In a conventional swimming pool the pump is usually timed to turn on inthe morning and turn off in the evening. Therefore, the soluble chlorinecakes 23 within the first mixing tank are exposed to circulating waterfor the period that the pump is on. The number of cakes exposed to thewater at any one time is set by the setting of the adjustable overflowtube 25 and determines the concentration of chlorine delivered to thesecond tank. In the FIG. 1 embodiment three cakes are exposed to waterwithin the first mixing tank since the bottom of window 29 coincideswith the top of the third cake.

When the pump is shut off, either manually or by a time mechanism, thebypass line no longer supplies liquid to the first mixing tank. Checkvalve 17 prevents backflow toward the filter. In order to preventfurther exposure of the cakes to entrained liquid, a small drain pipe 54extends through the bottom 19 of the first mixing tank into the secondmixing tank to drain the water remaining below the level of window 29when the pump shuts off, thus preserving the relationship of chlorinedelivered with respect to circulating water flow.

The second mixing tank will have a supply of water sufficient to floatvalve element 38 for a short period of time after the pump stops. As theliquid level lowers within the second tank, valve element 35 closesagainst conduit 31 and there is no flow through the venturi to the pool.Since the concentration of the chlorine solution within the second tankis determined by the exposure of the soluble cakes to water, there willbe no concentration build-up within the second mixing tank when thefirst tank drains. Therefore, when the pump resumes on its next cycle,the liquid drawn from the second tank through the venturi will be nostronger in chlorine concentration than at any time during the pumpcycle.

The embodiment of FIGS. 2 and 3 is similar in operation to theembodiment of FIG. 1. A cylindrical first mixing tank 11 is supportedupon a second mixing tank 12 and is associated with a swimming pool 13.A bypass line 15 extending from a Tee 51 supplies a part of thecirculating pool water through a check valve 17 to the first mixingtank. A stack 23 of soluble chlorine cakes stands within the firstmixing tank. The number of cakes exposed to the dissolving action of thepool water within the first mixing tank is determined by a window 29 inan adjustable overflow tube 25 which passes slidably through the bottom19 of the tank and depends into second mixing tank 12. A protectiveshroud 61 surrounds the adjustable tube 25. A stop pin 62 at the bottomof the shroud prevents downward overextension of the tube. A float valveassembly 33, similar to that described with respect to the embodiment ofFIG. 1, controls the inlet of a conduit 31 extending from the bottom ofend wall 32 of the tank. In FIG. 2 the valve is closed.

Conduit 31 is connected to pool pump 48 and filter 49 by a Tee 64.Conduit 31 is coupled to thesuction side of the pump, so that during thepump cycle the liquid within second tank 12 is drawn through conduit 31as long as valve assembly 33 is open. An inlet line 66 extends from thepool to Tee 64 and pump 48. A return line 68 extends from a Tee 51 tothe pool. Tee 51 I diverts part of the pool flow through conduit 15 intothe first mixing tank. Elbow 18 has a small perforation 69 to drain thefirst tank at the end of each flow cycle.

The embodiments of FIGS. 1 and 2, while similar in construction, aredifferently connected in the pool recirculation system, the apparatus ofFIG. 1 being connected to the pool through a venturi such that none ofthe additive solution from the second mixing tank passes through thepump and filter, and the apparatus of FIG. 2 being a cross-pumparrangement which passes the additive solution through the pump andfilter to the pool.

In FIG. 4, an alternate embodiment of the invention is shown in whichthe first cylindrical mixing tank 11 rests on the second mixing tank 12,with the bypass line 15 extending through the upper portion of thesecond tank into the bottom of the first tank. Instead of a cover, thefirst mixing tank receives a granule storage bin 70 having a steppedcone bottom 71 with a primary cone 72 and a secondary cone 73. Thestorage bin has a cover 74. A storage bin cone step 76 rests upon theupper edge of the mixing tank. The secondary bottom cone 73 of thestorage bin has a downwardly depending collar 78 to which a downwardlydepending metering assembly 81 is attached.

The illustrative metering assembly has three cup portions 82, 83, 84.Upper cup 82 has a diaphragm 86 at its top and a frusto-conical bottomwall 87, both of which have valving ports 88, 89, respectively. Cups 83,84 have similar frusto-conical bottoms 91, 92 with respective ports 93,94.

A vertically movable plunger valve 96 closes port 94 of cup 84. Theplunger valve is part of a float valve assembly 98 which has a float 99and a plunger support rod 101. The float has a central vertical aperture102 through which granules from the metering cups fall to bottom 19 ofthe first mixing tank.

Like the previously described embodiments, the first mixing tank of FIG.4 contains an adjustable overflow tube 25. The tube is verticallyslidable through bottom 19 of the first mixing tank and the upper wallof the second mixing tank. An adjustment handle 107 on the tube extendsthrough the wall 26 of the first mixing tank. The tube is therebyvertically adjustable to control the liquid level within the first tank.Bypass line and conduit 31 may connect the embodiment of FIG. 4 toeither a cross-pump or a venturi recirculation system.

While the illustrative embodiments are shown in conjunction with poolcirculation systems, the invention has equal application to any systemwherein it is desired to add a soluble additive to a liquid stream.

The embodiment of FIG. 4 is similar in liquid circulation to thepreviously described embodiments. I-Iowever, the amount of solubleadditive added to the circulating liquid in any one cycle is determinedby the rise of float 99 and the attendant traverse of the metering cupsby plunger valve 96. Therefore, depending upon the height of theaperture in adjustable tube 25, the valve will traverse the ports 94, 93and 92 of the metering cups and discharge one, two or three measures ofsoluble granules into the first mixing tank. The valve plunger remainsat the upper level determined by the setting of the adjustable tubethroughout the pump cycle. When the pump ceases the liquid level fallswithin the first mixing tank due to a tank drain 54A like the drain 54of the embodiment of FIG. 1 and the float returns to the bottom of thetank, bringing with it valve plunger 96. The ports 88, 89, and 93 arethereby opened and granules from the storage bin 72 refill the meteringcups 82, 83, 84 in preparation for the next cycle of the pump. Theplunger 96 closes port 94 preventing granule discharge into the tank.The amount of additive introduced into the recirculating water system isthus determined by the volume of the cups and the rise of plunger 96,rather than the solubility rate and the number of the cakes exposed tocirculatin g water, as in the first two described embodiments.

In the embodiment -of FIG. 5, the first and second mixing tanks 11 and12 are associated as in the previously described embodiments. Anadjustable liquid level tube 25 with a window 29 is adjustable by meansof a handle 107 protruding through a wall slot 111 of the first tank 11.Once again, the embodiment of FIG. 5 may be coupled to either across-pump or a venturi circulation system. In FIG. 5 a liquid additivecontainer or bottle 113 rests on the upper edge of first tank 11. Theadditive supply container is capped by a controlled drip cap 115 of thedesired emission rate. The drops or stream emerging from cap 115 fallinto a liquid pool 117 whose volume is determined by the setting ofadjustable tube 25. The emerging additive mixes with the liquid in thefirst tank 11 and the mixture then passes through window 29 and tube 25into second. tank 12, continuing the mixing until withdrawn throughconduit 31 to the recirculating system.

It can be seen from the described embodiments that the apparatus of theinvention is adapted to soluble cakes, soluble granules and liquidadditives with equal facility. The first and second mixing tanks and theliquid level tube accurately control the rate at which solubles areadded to the recirculating water in the case of a swimming pool. Therate of flow into the first mix-. ing tank is controlable both at bypassTee '51 and at check valve 17. Weight 39 may be adjusted to carefullycontrol the point at which conduit 31 closes with respect to the liquidwithin second tank 12.

FIG. 6 shows the apparatus of one embodiment of the invention in moredetail. Granule supply bin seats upon the top of first mixing tank 11. Agranule metering assembly 81 has metering cups 82, 83, 84 depending froma downward collar 121 of bin 70. A valve float 122 is sustained in aliquid pool 123 within the first tank. A valve plunger 125 with taperedends extends on a support rod 127 from the float, which may be hollow,like the embodiment of FIG. 4.

Valve plunger 125 has a sharp lead rod 129 which helps to displace thegranules within the cups and the bin to ease the upward passage of thevalve plunger 125.

The height of liquid pool 123 is set by an adjustable overflow tube 25and more particularly by the position of the window 29 of the aperturetube. The tube is adjusted in position by manipulation of a protrudinghandle 107 which extends from the first tank through a slot 111 in thewall of the tank. The lower termination of the slot is above the highestexpected liquid level in the first tank, as is each of the handle slotsof each embodiment having slots.

Overflow tube 25 extends downwardly through bottom 19 of the first tankthrough a sealing and friction gland 28 seated in a cavity in the tankbottom. A pretective shroud 61 surrounds the tube. A transverse pin 62at the bottom of the shroud limits the downward extension of the tube.Liquid flowing into the first tank discharges through window 29downwardly through.

tube 25 into the second mixing tank 12 which is'substantially similar tothe second mixing tanks of the previously described embodiments. Thesecond mixing tank has a float actuated valve assembly 33 which controlsflow through an exit conduit 31.

Float valve assembly 33 has a lever arm 41 attached at pivot 42 to asupport bracket 131 fixed to an end wall 32 of the second tank. Leverarm 41 extends rightwardly in FIG. 6 to support a weight 134 which has atop bracket 135 securing a float member 137 by means of a removabletransverse pin 138 through the opposed wings of the bracket. The weightcan be changed to adjust the level of liquid within tank 12 at whichvalve assembly 33 closes exit conduit 31.

Liquid is supplied tothe first mixing tank through a line 15 from therecirculation system of the pool if the device of the invention is beingused with a swimming pool or other supply line to which additive is tobe added. Line 15 is joined by means of a reducer coupling assembly 141to a check valve assembly 142 partly housed in an elbow 143 extendingupwardly into mixing tank 19.

The check valve, which precludes reverse flow from the tank through line15, comprises a restriction 145 in the coupling, an extending sleeve 146and a flexible valving member 147 residing in the elbow and fixed to thesleeve. The valving member has a bell portion 148 which surrounds thesleeve and a reduced clapper portion 149 which folds along a line 150 toclose under back pressure.

Elbow 143 has a drain hole 152 to transfer to the second mixing tankliquid entrained within the first mixing tank when the pump or otherliquid supply inducer shuts off.

In the normal operation of the embodiment of FIG. 6 the circulation ofliquid in a system such as that previously described induces liquid flowthrough line and check valve 142 into the first mixing tank 19. As theliquid pool 123 rises within the first tank float 122 also rises andlifts valve plunger 125, displacing it .with respect to metering cups82, 83, 84. In the position shown in FIG. 6, the plunger has movedoutwardly away from central ports 93, 94 of cups 83, 84, respectively,such that the granules contained therein pass to the interior of thefirst tank. As the granules pass into the first tank they are dissolvedby the liquid of the pool 123. The solution thus formed exits throughwindow 29 and tube 25 into the second mixing tank. As sufficient liquidfills the second mixing tank, float 137 rises to pivot resilient valvemember 35 away from the exit of conduit 31 introducing the additivesolute into the recirculating liquid, through a line 46, as in theembodiment of FIG. 1, or a line 68 by way of the pump and filters, as inthe embodiment of FIG. 2.

Broken lines 125A indicate a further elevated position of valve plunger:125. The added elevation displaces the plunger from sealing contact withport 89 of cup 82 such that the contents of the third cup are added tothe liquid pool within the first mixing tank. The added elevation of theplunger also closes port 88 in diaphragm 86 such that the storage bin nolonger supplies granules to the metering cups. However, upon descent ofthe float and the valve plunger at the end of the liquid cycle the floatand plunger descend to the bottom of the first tank, sealing bottom port94 but opening ports 88, 89 and 93 such that granules from the supplybin 70 refill the metering cups in preparation for the next circulatingcycle.

FIG. 7 illustrates an alternative form which the metering cup assemblyof the invention may take. A valve plunger 171 is in position to blockports 173, 174 of intermediate metering cups 176, 177. Metering cup 177is joined at its upper edge to an ultimate metering cup 178 which has asealing diaphragm 179 across its top. Diaphragm 178 has a central port181 which is aligned with a lower port 182 of cup 178 and is alignedwith the subsequent lower ports of the subsequent lower metering cups.Cup 176 sits atop a'lower metering cup 185 which may be similar inconstruction to the other metering cups of the embodiment of FIG. 7.

Cups 176, 177, 185 are similar in structure, each having a cylindricalwall 187, a frusto-conieal lower wall 188 with its central aperture anda horizontal step 189 at the juncture of the cylindrical wall and theconical wall. The horizontal step affords a seat for engagement betweentheadjacent metering cups. From the inner edge of the seat a shortcylindrical wall 191 makes a transition between the cylindrical wall andthe conical wall. The fit between the cylindrical wall and the shortstep may be a press fit so that the metering cups may be assembled intomechanical engagement one with the other. Ultimate cup 178 has a shortercylindrical wall 187A calculated for a height which gives the cup thesame volume as the subsequent cups in which volume is lost to theinterposed conical walls of the adjacent cups.

Lil

LII

With the metering cup assembly of FIG. 7 it is possible to adjust thegreatest volume of additive which can be added under the greatestelevation of the valve plunger. Adjustment is made by the addition orremoval of the press fitting cups to the cup assembly. For instance, ifonly two measures of the additive are desired for each cycle, cups 176and may be removed from the metering cup assembly, leaving only thecontents of cups 177 and 178 available to the first mixing tank.Conversely, cups in addition to lower cup 185 may be added to themetering assembly if a complementary height additionis added to thefirst mixing tank to afford a longer stroke for the valve plunger 125.

The invention disclosed by the illustrative embodiments described aboveis marked by its versatility in accepting additives of various types,both solid and liquid, and by its ability to combine with eithercross-pump circulation systems or venturi-induced suction systems. Whilethe illustrative embodiments have been shown as adapted to a swimmingpool recirculation system, the invention isequally adaptable to use withother liquid flow systems of various natures. The invention is thereforeto be measured by the appended claimsfrather than by the illustrativeembodiments described herein.

I claim:

1. Apparatus'for adding solute from a supply of soluble granules to aliquid in a flow system having a pump, the apparatus comprising: a firstmixing tank, a second mixing tank, liquid transmission means between thefirst and second tanks, means for controlling the liquid level withinthe first tank at which liquid is transmitted to the second tank,suction meansconnecting the second mixing tank to the flow system, meansresponsive to liquid level for opening and closing said suction means,means connecting said first tank to the liquid to which the solute is tobe added, means to receive said soluble granules comprising a containerfor said granules connected to the first mixing tank, intermediatemetering means interposed between the con tainer and the first mixingtank, said container being connected for granular flow to saidintermediate metering means, said intermediate metering means comprisingat least one metering cup with a downwardly sloping floor and a centralaperture in the floor, and float actuated means adapted to open andclose the central aperture in accordance with the liquid level withinthe first mixing tank.

2. Apparatus for adding a selected soluble additive from any of a groupof cake, granule or liquid soluble additives to a liquid flow systemhaving a pump, the apparatus comprising: a first tank, bypass meansconnecting said liquid flow system to the first tank, a second tank, anapertured overflow tube connecting the first and the second tanks, :1smaller drain connecting the first and the second tanks, said overflowtube being adjustable vertically to control the liquid level within thefirst tank at which liquid is transmitted to the second tank, storagemeans for supplying soluble additive to the liquid in the first tank.metering means for exposing a measured amount of the soluble additive tothe liquid in the first tank, a tank outlet adapted to drain the secondtank, valve means responsive to the liquid level in the second tank foropeningand closing the tank outlet, and suction means connecting thetank outlet to the flow system, said valve means comprising a valvemember, a pivot arm, a float on one end of the pivot arm, and means foradjusting the buoyancy of the float, said adjusting means comprising areplaceable weight on the pivot arm, and means on the weight forsecuring the float.

3. Apparatus for adding a selected soluble additive from any of a groupof cake, granule or liquid soluble additives to a liquid flow systemhaving a pump, the apparatus comprising: a first tank, bypass meansconnecting said liquid flowsystem to the first tank, a second tank, anapertured overflow tube connecting the first and the second tanks, asmaller drain connecting the first and the second tanks, said overflowtube being adjustable vertically to control the liquid level within thefirst tank at which liquid is transmitted to the second tank, a storagebin having a sloping floor, metering means communicating the bincontents to the first tank, to supply soluble additive to the liquid inthe first tank, said metering means including at least one metering cupwith a downwardly sloping floor and a central aperture in the floor, andfloat actuated means adapted to open and close the central aperture inaccordance with the liquid level in the first tank, a tank outlet havinga horizontally opening valve port adapted to drain the second tank,valve means responsive to liquid level in the second tank for openingand closing the tank outlet, and suction means connecting the tankoutlet to the flow system.

4. An apparatus as claimed in claim 3, wherein said first tank is of asize and configuration adapted to receive a supply of soluble cakes insubstitution for said storage bin and metering means.

5. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said first mixing tank isof a size and configuration adapted to receive a supply of soluble cakesin substitution for said container and intermediate metering means.

6. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said intermediatemetering means comprises a plurality of metering cups in verticalalignment, each of said metering cups having a downwardly sloping floorand a central aperture in said floor, said float actuated means beingadapted to open and close the central aperture in each of said meteringcups in accordance with the liquid level within the first mixing tank.

7. An apparatus as claimed in claim 6, wherein said metering cups areseparate entities in stacked relation.

8. Apparatus for adding a solid solute to a liquid in a flow systemhaving a pump, the apparatus comprising, a first mixing tank and asecond mixing tank, said first mixing tank having a supply of solidsolute therein and disposed on top of said second mixing tank, a conduitfor supplying liquid from said flow system having a pump to said firstmixing tank, an adjustable standpipe in said first mixing tank forconveying liquid from said first tank to said second tank, and a smalldrain pipe sewing to drain liquid from said first tank to said secondtank, the proportions and locations of said supply conduit, saidstandpipe and said drain pipe being such that when said pump is inoperation the level of liquid in said first tank remains at the level atwhich liquid enters said adjustable standpipe, the pool of liquid insaid first mixing tank established by the height of said standpipedirectly contacting said supply of solid solute to establish a pool ofliquid with dissolved solute in said first tank, the amount of solidsolute contacted by said pool varying directly as the height of theliquid in said pool, and when said pump is not in operation the drainpipe drains the liquid in said first tank to a level below which thesupply of solid solute is caused to be directly contacted, said secondtank having an outlet connected to said flow system, valve meansresponsive to the liquid level in said second tank for opening andclosing said outlet, said first mixing tank being elongated verticallyand sized to receive either a stack of solid soluble cakes or meteringmeans for solid soluble granules.

9. An apparatus as claimed in claim 8, wherein said supply of solidsolute comprises granules and said granules are dropped into said poolof liquid from metering means.

10. An apparatus as claimed in claim 8, wherein said supply of solidsolute comprises a stack of solid cakes.

1. Apparatus for adding solute from a supply of soluble granules to aliquid in a flow system having a pump, the apparatus comprising: a firstmixing tank, a second mixing tank, liquid transmission means between thefirst and second tanks, means for controlling the liquid level withinthe first tank at which liquid is transmitted to the second tank,suction means connecting the second mixing tank to the flow system,means responsive to liquid level for opening and closing said suctionmeans, means connecting said first tank to the liquid to which thesolute is to be added, means to receive said soluble granules comprisinga container for said granules connected to the first mixing tank,intermediate metering means interposed between the container and thefirst mixing tank, said container being connected for granular flow tosaid intermediate metering means, said intermediate metering meanscomprising at least one metering cup with a downwardly sloping floor anda central aperture in the floor, and float actuated means adapted toopen and close the central aperture in accordance with the liquid levelwithin the first mixing tank.
 2. Apparatus for adding a selected solubleadditive from any of a group of cake, granule or liquid solubleadditives to a liquid flow system having a pump, the apparatuscomprising: a first tank, bypass means connecting said liquid flowsystem to the first tank, a second tank, an apertured overflow tubeconnecting the first and the second tanks, a smaller drain connectingthe first and the second tanks, said overflow tube being adjustablevertically to control the liquid level within the first tank at whichliquid is transmitted to the second tank, storage means for supplyingsoluble additive to the liquid in the first tank, metering means forexposing a measured amount of the solUble additive to the liquid in thefirst tank, a tank outlet adapted to drain the second tank, valve meansresponsive to the liquid level in the second tank for opening andclosing the tank outlet, and suction means connecting the tank outlet tothe flow system, said valve means comprising a valve member, a pivotarm, a float on one end of the pivot arm, and means for adjusting thebuoyancy of the float, said adjusting means comprising a replaceableweight on the pivot arm, and means on the weight for securing the float.3. Apparatus for adding a selected soluble additive from any of a groupof cake, granule or liquid soluble additives to a liquid flow systemhaving a pump, the apparatus comprising: a first tank, bypass meansconnecting said liquid flow system to the first tank, a second tank, anapertured overflow tube connecting the first and the second tanks, asmaller drain connecting the first and the second tanks, said overflowtube being adjustable vertically to control the liquid level within thefirst tank at which liquid is transmitted to the second tank, a storagebin having a sloping floor, metering means communicating the bincontents to the first tank, to supply soluble additive to the liquid inthe first tank, said metering means including at least one metering cupwith a downwardly sloping floor and a central aperture in the floor, andfloat actuated means adapted to open and close the central aperture inaccordance with the liquid level in the first tank, a tank outlet havinga horizontally opening valve port adapted to drain the second tank,valve means responsive to liquid level in the second tank for openingand closing the tank outlet, and suction means connecting the tankoutlet to the flow system.
 4. An apparatus as claimed in claim 3,wherein said first tank is of a size and configuration adapted toreceive a supply of soluble cakes in substitution for said storage binand metering means.
 5. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein saidfirst mixing tank is of a size and configuration adapted to receive asupply of soluble cakes in substitution for said container andintermediate metering means.
 6. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1,wherein said intermediate metering means comprises a plurality ofmetering cups in vertical alignment, each of said metering cups having adownwardly sloping floor and a central aperture in said floor, saidfloat actuated means being adapted to open and close the centralaperture in each of said metering cups in accordance with the liquidlevel within the first mixing tank.
 7. An apparatus as claimed in claim6, wherein said metering cups are separate entities in stacked relation.8. Apparatus for adding a solid solute to a liquid in a flow systemhaving a pump, the apparatus comprising, a first mixing tank and asecond mixing tank, said first mixing tank having a supply of solidsolute therein and disposed on top of said second mixing tank, a conduitfor supplying liquid from said flow system having a pump to said firstmixing tank, an adjustable standpipe in said first mixing tank forconveying liquid from said first tank to said second tank, and a smalldrain pipe serving to drain liquid from said first tank to said secondtank, the proportions and locations of said supply conduit, saidstandpipe and said drain pipe being such that when said pump is inoperation the level of liquid in said first tank remains at the level atwhich liquid enters said adjustable standpipe, the pool of liquid insaid first mixing tank established by the height of said standpipedirectly contacting said supply of solid solute to establish a pool ofliquid with dissolved solute in said first tank, the amount of solidsolute contacted by said pool varying directly as the height of theliquid in said pool, and when said pump is not in operation the drainpipe drains the liquid in said first tank to a level below which thesupply of solid solute is caused to be directly contacted, said secondtank having an outlet connected to said flow system, valve meansresponsive to the liquid level in said second tank for opening andclosing said outlet, said first mixing tank being elongated verticallyand sized to receive either a stack of solid soluble cakes or meteringmeans for solid soluble granules.
 9. An apparatus as claimed in claim 8,wherein said supply of solid solute comprises granules and said granulesare dropped into said pool of liquid from metering means.
 10. Anapparatus as claimed in claim 8, wherein said supply of solid solutecomprises a stack of solid cakes.